Add us on Google
The Yobe State Government has launched a new skills acquisition programme targeted at 200 Almajiri students, in a move aimed at expanding youth empowerment and reducing social vulnerabilities linked to unemployment and insecurity.
The initiative, officially flagged off by Governor Mai Mala Buni on Tuesday, is designed to provide practical vocational training for young Almajiri learners across the state, with the objective of equipping them with sustainable livelihood skills over a six-month period.
The programme is being implemented in partnership with the Federal Polytechnic Damaturu and is supervised by the Arabic and Islamic Education Board under the leadership of its Executive Secretary, Umar Abubakar.
Programme targets economic inclusion for vulnerable youths
Speaking at the launch ceremony, state officials described the intervention as a strategic effort to integrate Almajiri students into the productive economy by moving beyond traditional religious education alone and introducing structured vocational opportunities.
According to the government, the beneficiaries will undergo intensive hands-on training in selected trades intended to improve employability, encourage entrepreneurship, and reduce dependence on informal survival systems.
The state said the programme aligns with broader efforts to address the long-standing socio-economic challenges facing northern youths, especially among vulnerable groups often excluded from formal education and economic participation.
Government links initiative to insecurity reduction
In his remarks, Umar Abubakar said the programme is not only about skills development but also about addressing deeper security and social concerns.
He noted that youth empowerment remains central to combating unemployment-driven crimes such as banditry, violent extremism, and other forms of social unrest affecting parts of northern Nigeria.
Abubakar called on political leaders, elites, philanthropists, and community stakeholders to support the initiative through funding and material contributions, stressing that investment in young people represents an investment in long-term peace and social stability.
NEDC backs scheme with food support donation
As part of institutional support for the programme, the North East Development Commission (NEDC) donated relief materials to assist in sustaining the trainees during the period of study.
The donation includes 50 bags of rice, 50 cartons of spaghetti, and 50 jerricans of cooking oil, reflecting regional backing for youth-focused rehabilitation and empowerment schemes.
Why this matters
The Almajiri system has remained a major subject in policy discussions around education reform, poverty reduction, and youth rehabilitation in northern Nigeria.
With this latest intervention, Yobe State is positioning vocational education as a practical pathway for transforming vulnerable young populations into economically productive citizens.
Analysts say if effectively implemented and scaled, the programme could serve as a replicable model for other northern states seeking to modernise Almajiri education while addressing unemployment and insecurity simultaneously.
Read also: NITDA, NNPCL-RTI Partner to Develop Local Research and Innovation Solutions
